Photos: Tropical Storm Lee Pounds Pensacola Beach
September 4, 2011
Tropical Storm Lee pounded Pensacola Beach over the weekend with heavy surf and high winds.
For a photo gallery from Pensacola Beach on Saturday, click here.
Pictured top: Heavy waves pound powered by Tropical Storm Lee pound Pensacola Beach Saturday. Pictured below: A surfer catches a wave. Submitted photos by Amanda Kindley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inside Escambia County’s Command Center On Wheels
September 4, 2011
If a major tropical storms or other disaster hits Escambia County, or even during a large event like a Blue Angels air show, Escambia County’s Office of Emergency Management has a mobile communications trailer ready to roll into action.
The emergency command center consists of a Freightliner tractor and 48-foot trailer outfitted to handle an emergency communications. Powered by a 20 KW diesel generator, the trailer has a complete radio system, cellular phone, conventional landline and fax system as well as computer network.
“We can run any scene from this trailer,” John Dosh, Escambia’s emergency management manager said. “It is completely self contained.”
The garage-kept trailer is designed to be deployed to a disaster or emergency, or large scale scene to coordinate communications between fire, EMS, law enforcement and other agencies. It is also used at events like the Blue Angels air show. At events such as the Blue Angels, the trailer is equipped with a 30-foot pneumatic mast with a camera system to allow operators to monitor a crowd.
The trailer has 320 square feet of climate control work space, including a conference room (pictured left), communications center and restroom. The trailer, Dosh said, was used one in emergency situation in North Escambia — after a February 2008 tornado touchdown in Molino.
Pictured top and bottom: Escambia County’s emergency command center. Pictured top inset: Emergency Management Manager John Dosh operates the command center’s video system from a computer control. Pictured bottom inset: The trailer’s conference room. NorthEcambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Ladies Create Green Angels
September 4, 2011
The Molino Homemakers recently made “Green Angels” as a reminder to recycle.
The angels were made out of cotton, hand sewn with a a button hole stitch around the edges of the angel’s head and wings. A ribbon at the top allows the project to be hung in the kitchen as a reminder in each lady’s home to recycle.
The Molino Homemakers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The next meeting will be September 7. Visitors are welcome; dues are $5 per year.
Submitted photos and article by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click photos to enlarge.
Military: Gullett Graduates Basic Training
September 4, 2011
Air Force Reserve Airman Samantha K. Gullett graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
She is the daughter of Michael and Angela Gullett of Turnberry Road in Cantonment.
Gullett graduated in 2003 from J.M. Tate High School.
Northview NJROTC Holds ‘Mini Boot Camp’
September 1, 2011
The NJROTC program at Northview High School held its first annual “mini boot camp” just before school started for 17 new cadets.
The main goal for the cadets in the camp, according to organizers, was to learn the basic components of the NJROTC program and purpose, drill, air rifle safety, and uniform components and care. Leaders said the cadets covered material in just three days in the summer camp that would normally take four weeks during the regular school year classroom sessions.
“All the new cadets were enthusiastic and motivated,” said Chief Jeffrey Simpins, NHS NJROTC institutor. “They all expressed a desired to stay in ROTC and continue to strive to be their best.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The new Northview NJROTC cadets attending the mini boot camp were Angelique Brown, Matthew Cason, Lawrence Coon, Asliyah Creamer, Dakota Dempsey, Jonathan Elliot, Cheyenne Godwin, Elijah Harbison, Kyle Hunter, Tori Jordan, Andrea Miles, Alec Okahashi, Natassja Scott, Kent Smith, Irene Stewart, Takeya Williams and Brandon Wilson.
Simpkins also offered thanks to parent Betty Coon for providing meals for the camp.
Pictured: The Northview High School NJROTC Mini Boot Camp. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ray’s Chapel Holds Spirit Night
August 29, 2011
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church recently kicked off the new school year with a Spirit Night.
The students celebrated with music, food, fellowship, games and worship. Students were encouraged to wear their school colors to celebrate their return to class; schools represented included Northview, Ernest Ward, Tate and West Florida.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Email information and photos to news@northescambia.com if you have news from your church.
Pictured: A recent Spirit Night at Ray’s Chapel Church in Bogia. Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tastes And Tales: Local Historic Group Releases Cookbook
August 28, 2011
The Jay Historical Society’s new cookbook “Tastes and Tales of the Great Pine Level” are now available for a $20 donation to the society.
“These recipes along with the accompanying photographs and stories, each reveal a bit of our collective heritage in Northwest Florida. Those that came before us may not have preheated their ovens to 350 degrees. Instead, they may have stirred a pot over an open fire or stoked big wood burning stoves to make the food hot. Still they cooked good food-simple maybe, but undeniably satisfying,” is how the historical society describes the 200 page cookbook.
“This book has been a labor of love for the committee working to make this a reality as well as all the community members who shared their recipes, photos and stories of family members both past and present generations. The money generated from the donations for this book, will help the society complete renovations of the future home of the museum and fund future book projects,” said Jane Hayes of the Jay Historical Society.
Cookbooks are available at Jay Pharmacy, Scott’s Furniture/Outdoors, DuraMed, Iron Gate Flowers and Gifts, United Bank, Town of Jay or the Santa Rosa Teachers Credit Union.
Books can be ordered contacting Paula Lewis at (850) 675-3772, Jane Hayes at (850) 675-0406, by emailing jayhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Shipping is up to an additional $4 per book.
Birth: Chase Weston Gilmore
August 28, 2011
Benjamin and Rachel Gilmore along with big sister Savannah welcome with joy the birth of Chase Weston Gilmore. Chase was born on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola at 12:10 p.m. Chase weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces and was 21.75 inches long.
Chase is the grandson of Glen and Jean Wiggins of Walnut Hill and Elton and Missy Gilmore of McDavid. He is the great grandson of Pattie Stone and the late George Stone, Ouida Wiggins and the late Billy Wiggins, and Mattie Lou Sheffield.
Featured Recipes: Mediterranean Salad, Grilled Steak Salad
August 28, 2011
Bursting with flavor, these seasonal favorite salads will be a new summertime favorite. Recipes for Mediterranean Salad with Feta and Watermelon, and Citrus-Ginger Grilled Steak Salad with Kiwifruit are below.
Mediterranean Salad with Feta and Watermelon
Ingredients
- 1 package Fresh Express 5-Lettuce Mix
- 4 to 5 cups cubed watermelon, from one small seedless melon
- 1/4 medium onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 6 small radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
- 12 pitted ripe, dry-cured olives, such as kalamata
- 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) feta cheese crumbles
- Honey Garlic Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Preparation
- Place lettuce, melon, onion, radishes and olives in large salad bowl; drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently but thoroughly. Portion salad onto six salad plates; top each salad with feta.
- Honey Garlic Vinaigrette: In medium jar with tight-fitting lid place 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 minced shallot, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; secure lid and shake jar well to blend.
Serves
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 package Fresh Express Fancy Greens
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 ripe kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
- 1 boneless strip steak, marinated in Citrus-Ginger Marinade, grilled
- Ginger Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Preparation
- Place greens, cucumber, bell pepper and kiwifruit in large shallow bowl. Drizzle Ginger Vinaigrette over and toss gently. Divide salad among four dinner plates; arrange sliced steak atop each salad and serve immediately.
- Ginger Vinaigrette: In medium jar with tight fitting lid place 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pinch of black pepper; secure lid and shake jar well to blend.
Serves
Serves 4
Citrus-Ginger Marinade
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
- Grated zest of one orange
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger root
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon coarsely grated black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable or peanut oil
Preparation
- In small bowl whisk together orange juice, zest, grated ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard and pepper. Slowly add oil, whisking to blend well. Use immediately to marinate steak before grilling:
- Place one strip steak in large self-sealing bag, pour marinade over and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
- Remove steak from marinade, pat dry with paper towels and grill over direct heat to desired doneness.
- Allow steak to rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly to arrange atop salad.
Serves
Makes about 1 1/3 cups, enough for 1 pound of strip steak, or other beef loin steak
Photo Gallery: First Day Of School
August 23, 2011
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and NorthEscambia.com asked our readers to submit photos of their children heading back to class.
For a reader submitted photo gallery, click here.
Editor’s note: The photos for this gallery were submitted on Monday. We are unable to accept new submissions today.
Pictured top: Crista, Derek and Justin head toward Bratt Elementary Monday morning. Pictured inset: Jessica, a third grader, waits for the bus Monday in her new Molino Park shirt and spirit sleeves offered by the Molino Park PTA. Pictured below: Second grader Tymiriana, first grader T’ahna and kindergarten student Aden get ready Monday morning to head to class at Bratt Elementary School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
